BREAKING IN

ozzman · February 21, 2006, 19:25

I know there is a lot of didderent oppinions when it comes to breaking in a new FAl Barrel, but I am one who believes in it, and these questions go out to the others who believe in it also.
When cleaning the barrel during the break in period do you clean from the breach or the muzzle, and if it is from the muzzle do I need a guide for my dewey?

Any advice on the gas regulator, DSA says to start out at 1 and shoot a single round adjust, shoot another round adjust, is this really the best way to do this?

What distance should I zero from. In the Corps we use to do it from 25 yards.

I know some of you old timers might think these are stupid questions but I have never dealt with a FAL, just looking for some guidance.

Sig220 · February 21, 2006, 19:35

IMHO.......YMMV,
Clean from the breach...(you leave the crown alone that way)
No guide needed...if you have it, of course use it!!

I usually start in the middle on the gas adjustment, firing one round and close it until the bolt holds open on a empty mag, then close one more notch.

Remember, breaking in a new barrel requires cleaning after each one.

25 yards/meters is fine for an initial zero...then adjust when you move out..won't be much!!

Have Fun!!

boman · February 21, 2006, 20:11

Pretty much what sig220 said but after the first 5 to 10 rds you can begin cleaning after each 3 to 5 shot string---

yovinny · February 21, 2006, 20:14

Use a good rod, a guide and clean from the breach end on anything that can possibly be cleaned from the breach.

Their are 2 schools of thought on the best type of rod.
The first say's use a coated rod to protect the bore and replace it when the coating starts to wear.
The second say's the coated rod's get embedded with particles and abrade the bore, so use a one piece stainless rod, wiping it off with each stroke.
Personally, I got tired of replacing coated rods so use mostly 1 piece stainless, though I still use a few coated ones on certain rifles.

At all cost's avoid jointed rod's like the plague.
More barrels have been ruined by those jointed steel military style rod's than have ever been shot out. I wish I had a dollar for every military barrel that still had plenty of life left, but had a muzzle like a wash tub from using a jointed rod

A bore guide should always be used if possible.
#1, It prevents wear to the critical throat area of a chamber from the front end of the rod.
#2, it prevents packing particles into the locking recesses of rifles with front locking bolt's.
#3, it prevents the migration of solvents to other areas, such as the bedding, trigger group, etc.
The last 2 really arent issues on the FAL, but a big issue on other actions.
The biggest killer of bedding job's is softening because of being soaked with solvent. Or on non bedded, wood stocked rifles, from becoming soaked and softened.

Such mundane things as using brushes with brass core wires, instead of the typical steel, or using patch jag's and not slotted holders become issues with some of us anal-retentive cleaners.

If you'r truly concerned with taking the best care of you'r bores, pick up one of the book's on bench rest shooting or for about $10. get Sinclair International's handbook on precision shooting & reloading. It covers breakin and cleaning techniques that are used and have been proven by some of the best shooters in the world.

Just my $.02
Cheers YOOO VINNY

adam762 · February 21, 2006, 20:22

Excellent info, thanks Vinny.

trigrcreep · February 21, 2006, 20:54

I broke mine in with 2 single shot s then dumped 2 mags rapidly. It shoots great

Firestarter · February 23, 2006, 18:06

When I purchased my DSA I just shot the thing and didn't worry about breaking the barrel in.

IMHO these are battle rifles not tack drivers. (Besides I couldn't wait between shots long enough to clean it!)

February 21, 2006, 20:22	#5
adam762 Registered FALaholic #: 11334 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Zanesville, OH Posts: 3,418	info Excellent info, thanks Vinny. __________________ When is the bleeding going to stop? Charter Member, Knob Creek Book Club

February 21, 2006, 20:54	#6
trigrcreep Registered FALaholic #: 17514 Join Date: May 2005 Location: ky Posts: 108	I broke mine in with 2 single shot s then dumped 2 mags rapidly. It shoots great __________________ Shooting- its not just for supper anymore

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February 21, 2006, 19:25	#1
ozzman Registered FALaholic #: 18596 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Currently stationed in Cali Posts: 25	BREAKING IN I know there is a lot of didderent oppinions when it comes to breaking in a new FAl Barrel, but I am one who believes in it, and these questions go out to the others who believe in it also. When cleaning the barrel during the break in period do you clean from the breach or the muzzle, and if it is from the muzzle do I need a guide for my dewey? Any advice on the gas regulator, DSA says to start out at 1 and shoot a single round adjust, shoot another round adjust, is this really the best way to do this? What distance should I zero from. In the Corps we use to do it from 25 yards. I know some of you old timers might think these are stupid questions but I have never dealt with a FAL, just looking for some guidance. __________________ ozzman45 "if you don't stand for something you will fall for anything"

February 21, 2006, 19:35	#2
Sig220 Registered FALaholic #: 11622 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: SE Texas Posts: 4,869	IMHO.......YMMV, Clean from the breach...(you leave the crown alone that way) No guide needed...if you have it, of course use it!! I usually start in the middle on the gas adjustment, firing one round and close it until the bolt holds open on a empty mag, then close one more notch. Remember, breaking in a new barrel requires cleaning after each one. 25 yards/meters is fine for an initial zero...then adjust when you move out..won't be much!! Have Fun!! __________________ Sometimes you are the bug.....sometimes the windshield.

February 21, 2006, 20:11	#3
boman Registered FALaholic #: 395 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: In Posts: 312	Pretty much what sig220 said but after the first 5 to 10 rds you can begin cleaning after each 3 to 5 shot string--- __________________ "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin-1759

February 21, 2006, 20:14	#4
yovinny Registered FALaholic #: 7679 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NY transplant to central Illinois, Now in Kentucky Posts: 3,412	Use a good rod, a guide and clean from the breach end on anything that can possibly be cleaned from the breach. Their are 2 schools of thought on the best type of rod. The first say's use a coated rod to protect the bore and replace it when the coating starts to wear. The second say's the coated rod's get embedded with particles and abrade the bore, so use a one piece stainless rod, wiping it off with each stroke. Personally, I got tired of replacing coated rods so use mostly 1 piece stainless, though I still use a few coated ones on certain rifles. At all cost's avoid jointed rod's like the plague. More barrels have been ruined by those jointed steel military style rod's than have ever been shot out. I wish I had a dollar for every military barrel that still had plenty of life left, but had a muzzle like a wash tub from using a jointed rod A bore guide should always be used if possible. #1, It prevents wear to the critical throat area of a chamber from the front end of the rod. #2, it prevents packing particles into the locking recesses of rifles with front locking bolt's. #3, it prevents the migration of solvents to other areas, such as the bedding, trigger group, etc. The last 2 really arent issues on the FAL, but a big issue on other actions. The biggest killer of bedding job's is softening because of being soaked with solvent. Or on non bedded, wood stocked rifles, from becoming soaked and softened. Such mundane things as using brushes with brass core wires, instead of the typical steel, or using patch jag's and not slotted holders become issues with some of us anal-retentive cleaners. If you'r truly concerned with taking the best care of you'r bores, pick up one of the book's on bench rest shooting or for about $10. get Sinclair International's handbook on precision shooting & reloading. It covers breakin and cleaning techniques that are used and have been proven by some of the best shooters in the world. Just my $.02 Cheers YOOO VINNY

February 23, 2006, 18:06	#7
Firestarter Registered FALaholic #: 11413 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: **** you Posts: 5,672	When I purchased my DSA I just shot the thing and didn't worry about breaking the barrel in. IMHO these are battle rifles not tack drivers. (Besides I couldn't wait between shots long enough to clean it!)